For the first time ever, Pitman and Turlock high schools will meet on the grid iron.
What’s that you say? Pitman and Turlock have met on the grid iron every year for the past two decades?

True enough, but they’ve never met on a playing field that’s 80 yards long by 40 yards wide, have they?

Nope. We’re talkin’ flag football here, and the schools will add a new chapter to their rivalry when they square off tonight at 7 p.m. at Joe Debely Field in the first ever Pitman-Turlock girls flag football game.

The visiting Pride is 7-0 and 2-0 in the Central California Athletic League, while the host Bulldogs are 8-2 and also 2-0 in league action. The teams are tied with Gregori (8-1, 2-0) atop the CCAL standings. 

This game’s not only for historical bragging rights, it’s a first step in determining the conference champion.

“I’m very excited about the game,” said Addie Watson, a junior on the Turlock squad who is sidelined with a knee injury and has yet to play this season. “I think the team’s really looking forward to it. Winning the first CCAL title in flag football would be very cool. That’s our goal.”

No surprise … that’s the goal across town, too.

“I feel pretty good about it. I’m looking forward to the game because they are our rivals,” said Pride senior wide receiver Sofia Martinez.

Martinez said that she and the Pride definitely have their eyes on a league title. To get there, she said the team just needs to work on “communicating more.”